Napoleon Series Discussion Forum

This is from the narrative I put together from the trial reports. It seems to indicate that Georges was expecting a larger contingent to follow but Picot was talking under torture and Lajolais was a proven liar: one has to consider that they may have been been following police hints.

On February 14th, Picot had begun to talk, he said at the trial that he had been tortured by having his fingers crushed in a gun- hammer and his feet held to the fire. The main results of this interrogation were that Georges had lodged at Verdet's and at rue Careme-Prenant and that Denand's had been used for correspondence. Bouvet had always been head of the English correspondance, The chiefs had drawn lots for who was to attack the First Consul. They wanted capture him, if they met him on the road to Boulogne, or to assassinate him in presenting a petition at a parade or spectacle. That was why they had had uniforms made. He believed that Pichegru was not only in France but still in Paris. There should be 10-12 more landing about now to follow the plans. He had often heard tell of general Moreau 'and that the chiefs repeated frequently before him that they were annoyed that the princes had brought Moreau into the affair.' but he did not know when or where Georges had seen Moreau.

On the 16th Lajolais was interrogated again, he told them about taking Pichegru's letter of recommendation to Moreau at Grosbois in June. There was more about his visit to London, he had seen a man he was later told was the comte d'Artois who had said something about ' our two generals' coming to an agreement. He described the meetings he had had with Moreau. He now claimed to know about Georges' movements and intentions and that Joyaut had approached Fresnieres. While Georges was in Paris he had Moreau sounded by a Breton named Villeneuve who was a friend of Fresniere, about 2 months ago, but only got evasive answers. Moreau had said that he would not get involved in an assassination, but would act as necessary for the good of the country. Georges was waiting for 22 people fully armed to land, who should soon be at Paris. Eight days ago Georges's supporters had said that he wanted to strike a blow soon or go back to Brittany. 'I heard the same people say, in a room next to mine that it would be necessary to slip into the Tuileries', he thinks they also said they had projects on the road to Bologne. All he knows about Georges he had heard from his supporters, he never spoke to him himself.

Picot was Georges' servant, he had only been with him about 18 months and was not in his confidence but was well-placed to hear things.